Remote control for mucking process



Oct. 11, 1955 c. K. BAIN REMOTE CONTROL FOR MUCKING PROCESS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 31, 1952 FIG. 2.

INVENTOR.

CHARLES K. BAIN AT TORN EY Oct. 11, 1955 Q BAIN REMOTE CONTROL FOR MUCKING PROCESS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 31, 1952 INVENTOR. CHARLES K. BAIN ATTORNEY United States Patent REMOTE CONTROL FOR MUCKING PROCESS Charles K. Bain, Bonne Terre, Mo.

Application May 31, 1952, Serial No. 290,904

7 Claims. (Cl. 214-656) This invention pertains to a control system for use in sinking mine shafts whereby the clam-shell ordinarily used for mucking may be controlled by an operator stationed at the bottom of the shaft.

An object of this invention is to provide a control system whereby the mechanisms for hoisting and for opening-and-closing the clam-shell may be located at the surface level but controlled by an operator at the bottom of the shaft.

Generally stated the device of this invention includes a switch panel upon which control switches are mounted, said panel having means such as a strap or sling whereby the same may be secured to the operators person as by hanging it around his neck. Electric conductors connected to the switches of the panel extend from the panel to control devices at the surface level adapted to control the mechanisms for hoisting and for opening-and-closing the clam-shell.

A preferred embodiment of this invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic section view of a mine shaft illustrating the manner of operating this device;

Fig. 2 is a face view of the control panel; and

Fig. 3 is a connection diagram showing one way of arranging the control circuits.

Referring to the drawings, the clam-shell illustrated generally at 1 is suspended on a hoisting cable 2 passing upward to the surface level to the winding drum 3 of a hoisting mechanism. This mechanism includes driving means such as a motor 4 and suitable control means 5 therefor. Also connected to the clam-shell is an openingand-closing cable 6, which also extends to the surface level and to a drum 7 of the opening-and-closing mechanism. This mechanism again includes a motor 8 and control means 9 therefor. The motors 4 and 8 may be of any suitable type, such as pneumatic, hydraulic, or electric, and the control devices 5 and 9 are, of course, such as to match the type of motor used.

A shut-off control device 10 is arranged in the power supply to both of the motors 4 and 8, so that by operation of the device 10 both mechanisms may be shut down. A signal 11, of any suitable type, may be installed at the surface level, whereby the operator in the shaft may communicate by code or otherwise with the operator at the surface.

The control panel shown in Fig. 2 comprises a panel board 12 which may be of plywood or other suitable material. Mounted in. suitable housings 13 on the panel 12 is a series of control switches, only the operating handles of which appear in Fig. 2. These switches may be of any suitable type adapted to handle circuits such as shown in Fig. 3. The panel 12 is equipped with a strap 14, whereby it may be secured to the operators person as indicated in Fig. 1. As shown in that figure, the panel 12 is suspended by the strap 14 which is looped around the operators neck. It may be held in horizontal position as shown in the drawing, or it may be laid fiat against the operators chest or in any other desired position. In

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any case the operator may move about and carry the panel with him so as to have complete control at all times. Ordinarily, of course, there will be provided at the shaft bottom a suitable bucket 50 in which the debris may be loaded by the clam-shell. The bucket 50 is connected to a hoisting cable 51 by which the bucket may be hoisted to the top of the shaft to be emptied. Also one or two other workmen are usually employed at this point to swing the clam-shell to its position to be loaded and to move it over the bucket to deposit its load.

Each of the separate switches shown in Figs. 2 and 3 has its control function. As illustrated, the switch 15 is manipulated to hoist the clam-shell while the switch 16 is operated to lower the same. These two switches may be connected by a lever 17 pivoted at 18 so that only one may be depressed at a time. The switches 15 and 16 control the hoisting mechanism which operates the drum 3. Similarly, the switch 19 is operated to close the clam-sl1ell and the switch 20 to open the same. These switches control the operation of the cable 6 by the drum 7. The switch 21 controls the operation of the signal 11. The switch 22 operates the emergency shut-off device 10. Accordingly, the operator at the shaft bottom may manipulate these switches so as to hoist or lower the clam-shell and to open or close the same. He may signal the operator at the surface level and in an emergency he may operate the switch 22 to shut off the apparatus entirely.

One way of arranging the control circuits is shown in Fig. 3. Here a power transformer 23 is connected to a suitable power supply line 24. The secondary of this transformer has one side grounded at 25. The other side is suitably connected to a power supply wire 26 which passes down to the control panel 12 and is connected by a branch 27 to both the switches 21 and 22. The switches on the panel 12 are represented as being spring returned to the positions shown in Fig. 3. In other words, they all return to these positions when released. It will be seen that the switch 21 in its normal position, as shown, connects the branch 27 with the wire-28 which in turn is connected to one terminal of each of the switches 15, 16, 19 and 20. This carries the power supply to all of said switches.

It will be seen that when the signal switch 22 is depressed, it connects the branch 27 with a wire 29 leading to the operating coil of the emergency relay 10. When said switch 22 is operated it will be noted that the connection to the wire 28 is broken so as to cut oil power from the switches controlling the clam-shell.

When the switch 21 is operated, it connects the branch 27 with the wire 30 which extends to the operating coil of the signal 11.

The switches 15 and 16 are inter-connected by wires 31 and 32 so that when one of these switches is depressed it opens the circuit to the other. It will be noted, therefore, that when the switch 15 is depressed it connects the branch 28 through the wire 31 to the switch 16 which in its normal position continues the circuit to a wire 33 extending to the surface level and connected to a relay coil 34 of the control device 5, the energization of which coil causes the operation of the motor 4 in such direction as to hoist the clam-shell. With the switch 15 in its normal position as shown, depression of the switch 16 will cause the same to connect the branch 28 via the wire 32 through the switch 15 to a wire 35 leading to the other relay coil 36 of the device 5. Energization of the coil 36 then causes operation of the motor 4 in such a direction as to lower the clam-shell.

In a similar manner the opening and closing operations are controlled by the switches 19 and 20. Depressing the switch 19 connects the branch 28 with the wire 37 running to the switch 20 and connected thereby to a Wire 38 running to a relay coil 39 of the device which operates the motor 3 to open the clam-shell. Again with the switch 1Q in normal position, depressing the switch connects the branch 28 via a wire with the switch 19 which connects the same to a wire 41 running to a relay coil 42 of the device 9 which causes operation of the motor 8 in such direction as to close the clam-shell. The wires 33, 35, 38, 41, 26 and 29 may all be included in a cable 43 running from the panel to the power mechanisms at the surface level.

It has been found that a convenient way to arrange the control conductors is to consolidate those which lead to the portable panel 12 in one or more short flexible cables such as indicated at 44 in Fig. 1. In order to provide convenient means for carrying the control circuits down into the shaft, an outlet box 52 is provided which houses a distribution panel for the various circuits. The outlets for the various circuits are in the form of plug sockets 53 into which the cable or cables 44 may be plugged. Said box 52 is suspended on a cable 54 running to the top of the shaft and over a sheave 55 at the edge of the shaft. Said cable 54 is wound on a drum 56 in the usual manner to provide for hoisting or lowering the box 52 to any desired level in the shaft. The various control circuits are arranged either in a single cable 43 or in a plurality of component cables 43a, 43b and 430. These cables may be wound on one or more winding drums 57, 58 and 59 respectively, each arranged in a well known manner with slip rings to carry the various circuits from the stationary parts of the cable to the moving parts on the drum. These drums, as well as the drum 56 on which the cable 54 is wound, are provided with one or more driving motors of any suitable type, not shown in the drawing. These component cables pass over a series of sheaves 60, 61 and 62 respectively located adjacent the sheave 55 so that all of these may be fed into the mine shaft at the same locality. Said component cables are preferably supported on the cable 54 by means of clamps 53 located ordinarily at about 10 foot in tervals along the cable 54 as it passes downward into the shaft.

The device 52 provides a convenient distribution point for the electric control circuits which may be located at any desired elevation in the shaft. Ordinarily it is let down as the depth of the shaft increases, so as to be positioned 20 feet above the working level. This de vice may be provided with outlets for other circuits besides the control circuits for the panel 12. For instance, in practice it has been found convenient to have one or more outlets for lights which may be suspended as desired above the working level. An outlet for a pump is also found convenient so that where an undue amount of water is encountered, a pump may be used to remove the same. Such a pump can be quickly lowered into the shaft and plugged into one of the outlets 53. During those operations in which no work is being done in the shaft, such for instance as during the raising and lowering of the drilling aparatus or the working cage used for concreting the walls of the shaft, the box 52 is suspended from a shackle 64 on the bottom of the bucket 50. The bucket is then hoisted out of the shaft thereby lifting out the box 52, the cables connected thereto being permitted to hang in a loop against the wall of the shaft.

It will be seen, therefore, that this invention provides a simple and convenient arrangement whereby the mechanisms for operating the clam-shell may be controlled by an operator at the bottom of the shaft. He is then in a position to observe the progress of the mucking operation and to direct the other workmen in whatever hand manipulation of the clam-shell is required. At the same time, he may work in close cooperation with them to open or close the clam-shell promptly and to hoist same quickly so that the mucking operation can be carried on just as fast as the workmen can conveniently operate. It has been found that the use of this device has greatly shortened the time necessary to sink a mine shaft. It has been found of advantage to have the clam-shell and the bucket suspended from the surface level. This makes it easy to hoist and return the bucket at a rapid rate and also to hoist the clam-shell out of the shaft quickly when the mucking operation has been completed. It will be noted that the switches 15 and 16, controlling the hoisting mechanism, are located on one side of the panel 12, while the switches 19 and 20, controlling the opening-and-closing mechanism, are on the opposite side of said panel. By this arrangement the operator may control one of these mechanisms with each hand, may operate them individually or simultaneously as desired, whereby very rapid and efiicient operation of the clam-shell may be attained.

Various changes may be made in the details of construction within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of this invention. Parts Of the invention may be used without the whole, and improvements may be added, while retaining some or all of the advantages of the invention.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for sinking mine shafts, comprising, a clam-shell for mucking the shaft bottom, hoisting mechanism for raising and lowering said clam-shell, openingand-closing mechanism for said clam-shell, said mechanisms being located at the surface level adjacent the shaft, a portable control panel, means for securing said panel to an operators person, switches mounted on said panel for manipulation by the operator, a signal switch on said panel, a signal at the surface level adjacent the shaft for communication with a surface crew, and conductors connecting said signal switch to control said signal, whereby control requirements at the shaft bottom may be signalled to the crew at the surface level by said operator instantly wherever he may be.

2. An apparatus for sinking mine shafts, comprising, a clam-shell for mucking the shaft bottom, hoisting mechanism for raising and lowering said clam-shell, openingand-closing mechanism for said clam-shell, said mechanisms being located at the surface level adjacent the shaft, a portable control panel, means for securing said panel to an operators person, switches mounted on said panel for manipulation by the operator, conductors connected to said switches, said conductors extending from the shaft bottom to the surface level and being connected to control said mechanisms, whereby the operator at the shaft bottom may manipulate said switches to operate said clam-shell as desired, emergency shut-off means for said mechanisms at the surface level, an emergency switch on said panel, and conductors connected to said emergency switch and connected to control said shut-off means.

3. In an apparatus for sinking mine shafts, in combination with a clam-shell for mucking the shaft-bottom, hoisting mechanism for raising and lowering said clamshell, and opening-and-closing mechanism for said clamshell; control means for said clam-shell comprising, a portable control panel, means for securing said panel to an operators person, circuit-control means on one side of said panel operable by one hand of the operator, control connections from said circuit-control means to said hoisting mechanism, second circuit-control means on the other side of said panel operable by the operators other hand, and control connections from said second means to said opening-and-closing mechanism, whereby said circuit-control means and said mechanisms may be operated separately or simultaneously as desired.

4. An apparatus for sinking mine shafts, comprising a clam-shell for mucking the shaft bottom, hoisting mechanism for raising and lowering said clam-shell, openingand-closing mechanism for said clam-shell, said mechanisms being located at the surface level adjacent the shaft, a portable control panel, means for securing said panel to an operators person, a control switch for said hoisting mechanism on one side of said panel, a control switch for said opening-and-closin'g mechanism on the other side of said panel, emeigency shut-off means for both said mechanisms, a signal at the surface level for communi cation with a surface crew, an emergency switch for said shut-off means on one side of said panel, a control switch for said signal on the other side of said panel, and con ductors connecting said control switches with their respective control mechanisms, shut-off means and signal, Whereby said operator may control said mechanisms, shut-off means and/or signal instantly from whatever place in which he may be.

5. In an apparatus for sinking mine shafts, in combination with a clam-shell for mucking the shaft bottom, hoisting mechanism for raising and lowering said clamshell, and opening-and-closing mechanism for said clamshell; control means for said clam-shell comprising, an outlet box, control-circuit conductors connected to said mechanisms and running to said box, a suspension cable arranged to suspend said box at any desired level in the shaft, a portable control panel having means for supporting the same on the operators person and having circuitcontrol devices thereon, and conductors connected to said devices and removably connectible to said control-circuit conductors at said outlet box.

6. In an apparatus for sinking mine shafts, in combination with a clam-shell for mucking the shaft bottom, hoisting mechanism for raising and lowering said clamshell, and opening-and-closing mechanism for said clamshell; control means for said clam-shell comprising, an outlet box, control-circuit conductors connected to said mechanisms and running to said box, power-supply conductors running to said box, a suspension cable arranged to suspend said box at any desired level in the shaft, a portable control panel having means for supporting the same on the operators person and having circuit-control devices thereon, and conductors connected to said devices and removably connectible to said control-circuit conductors at said outlet box.

7. In an apparatus for sinking mine shafts, mechanism for operating on the shaft, means for lowering said mechanism to the shaft bottom, power-supply and controlcircuit conductors for said mechanism, an outlet box to which said conductors run, means for removably con necting said conductors at said box for control of said mechanism, and a suspension cable operable to suspend said box at any desired level in the shaft.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,326,732 Holme Dec. 30, 1919 1,848,315 Gage Mar. 8, 1932 2,009,448 Hayward et al. July 30, 1935 2,106,658 Rakos Ian. 25, 1938 2,254,083 Nickles et al. Aug. 26, 1941 2,320,196 Roe May 25, 1943 2,378,075 Frecska June 12, 1945 2,440,501 Erickson Apr. 27, 1948 2,474,803 Putnam June 28, 1949 2,491,583 Riddell Dec. 20, 1949 2,587,844 Harrison Mar. 4, 1952 2,600,887 Lannen June 17, 1952 2,606,679 Cryderman Aug. 12, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 443,292 Great Britain Feb. 24, 1936 832,479 Germany Feb. 25, 1952 

